Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation Practice Exam

What is the purpose of an underpinning contract (UC)?

1. To support the service level agreement with legally binding terms

2. To define internal roles and accountability

3. To dictate customer service expectations

4. To outline operational metrics

The correct answer is: To support the service level agreement with legally binding terms

The purpose of an underpinning contract (UC) is to support the service level agreement (SLA) with legally binding terms. An underpinning contract provides the foundational legal framework and details necessary to ensure that the commitments made within the SLA can be met with enforceable agreements. This means that if the service provider fails to meet the SLA commitments, the UC outlines the responsibilities and liabilities that can come into play, providing a level of protection and accountability for both the service provider and the customer. The underpinning contract is fundamentally essential because it connects the operational capabilities and constraints of vendors or sub-contractors with the higher-level service commitments made to customers, ensuring that all parties understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to the agreed-upon service levels. While the other options may touch on related aspects of service delivery or governance, they do not capture the primary legal and support function of the underpinning contract as it relates to the service level agreement.